In Cribbage, an early win is called skunking

Why a Cribbage Win Can Count as a Skunk

Cribbage is usually a race to 121 points. Players move pegs around a board to keep score, earning points both while playing cards and when they count their hands. A skunk is a win with a particular margin: the winner reaches the finish before the opponent has reached 91 points.

The Pegboard Makes the Margin Visible

The 91-point cutoff is three-quarters of the way to 121. If one player crosses the finish line while the other is still short of that mark, the loss is called a skunk. The name adds a sharper label to a game that already has a clear score and finish line; the pegs show not just who won, but how far behind the loser was when the game ended.

The term does not change how points are scored or how the next game begins. It describes the result, and its use can vary with local or house rules. But in a close race, it gives players an extra target to watch: reaching 91 may not win the game, yet it can keep a defeat from becoming a skunk.